Merry Xmas!

My friend Belinda taught a Relief Society class several weeks ago about keeping Christ in Christmas. She began the class by writing Xmas up on the board and talking about how, although Xmas was probably just invented as a short-cut so people wouldn’t have to write out the word Christmas, it is a short-cut that tends to diminish the meaning of what this sacred holiday is all about.

I agreed with her, until, searching on the internet for information about the meaning of various Christmas symbols, I stumbled on the origin of the word Xmas. Turns out it is a short-cut of sorts, but not the way you might think. XP is the uppercase abbreviation for the ancient Greek word for Christ. Later this was shortened to just X, which, when translated, is Greek for the letters Chi. So, although it is an abbreviation of sorts, it isn’t as sinister as it may seem. The mas part of the word Christmas comes from the Latin derived, Old English word for mass, as in “a religious ceremony.” Amazing how a little bit of correct information can change your ideas about something.

This being said, I have been trying to focus more this year on ways to help myself and my family remember the true meaning of Christmas. This can be a challenge when competing with Santa Claus (who I still love and encourage belief in), but we have spent some time celebrating the Christ child.

All of our family nights this month have been about keeping Christ in Christmas.Last night for FHE we had a lesson that Mike and I have been thinking about for weeks. We started out by telling the Christmas story using our nativity set. When we arrived at the part about the wise men we took our time explaining about how the wise men brought precious gifts to give the Christ child. I’m sure most of you know where I’m going with this…. you know, the lesson culminates with giving our own gifts to Christ.  You know the one.

Mike was in a Bishopric meeting several weeks ago where our Stake President, a very sweet and inspired man, told about his family making a commitment not to yell in their home. He told of what a huge difference it had made in the feeling and atmosphere there. Mike was struck by this, and came home to discuss it with me. He felt that we should take President Bowen up on the challenge, but in order for this to work at our house I would have to be entirely on board with it, because, you see, I’m the one with the biggest yelling problem.

I didn’t instantly jump on the idea, because frankly, I’m incredibly skeptical about my ability to succeed with it. But,as I’ve thought about it for awhile and let the idea marinate, I really feel like it’s something that I/we should do. I like the idea of it being our gift to Christ. It’s very motivating for me to think of it this way. So, after reading John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” We all wrote down our gift to Jesus on special paper, signed our names, and placed our papers in a treasure box.

Now folks, there is NO way that any of us are going to be able to quit yelling, cold turkey. This little challenge is going to take some serious effort and time. We decided as a family that anyone who yells will be reminded not to by having to do ten sit-ups or push ups (five for the boys), sort of in fun, not really as a harsh punishment. I’m certain that by the end of the year I will have a washboard stomach and huge biceps!

I will definitely be revisiting my Scream-free Parenting book (I’ve mentioned it before in a previous post), reading and studying the pages with a highlighter. I’ll definitely be spending time on my knees, reading and re-reading this talk, and re-committing myself over and over, but I’m determined. Part of my commitment is to record my goal here, so that I will be accountable. I plan to report periodically on this blog about how things are going, process my thoughts, you know the drill.

Today is our first no-yelling day and so far Jonathan has done one round of sit-ups, but I can tell that everyone is thinking about it. My biggest challenge will be finding alternative ways to communicate with my children that will get results. Now they only take me seriously when I raise my voice, something I, unfortunately have trained them to do. This is going to be tricky. If any of you have any ideas, please share them. Any little bit helps.

As hard as this is going to be, I am excited and hopeful. I think the benefits will be numerous and profound. So, happy birthday Jesus. Ironically, we will be asking for lots of help with this gift to you.

Can you see what’s out of place in this picture? That’s right, two Hot-wheels vehicles. I over heard the boys talking. Apparently the blue truck is parked there because it’s what Mary and Joseph drove to Bethlehem instead of riding a donkey. The ambulance arrived on the scene when one of the sheep was injured and had to be rushed to the emergency room. Little practical twists on the Christmas story, added in Jonathan and Jeffrey fashion.

Merry Christmas all!